DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — If at first you don't succeed, wipe the slobber off and try again. Just ask 4-year-old pup Huckleberry, who's been crowned this year's "Beautiful Bulldog."

Huckleberry competed for the title in 2010, only to walk away empty-pawed. That changed Monday, when he strutted down a blue runway at Drake University in Des Moines dressed in a beige suit as the main character from the movie "Forrest Gump."

He beat 46 other dogs to don the crown and cape and seemed unfazed by the attention as he later feasted on a dog-friendly cake.

Huckleberry's owners say their pooch is a lover who spends all his time playing with a miniature basketball.

The contest that's now in its 34th year is held ahead of the annual Drake Relays track and field meet.